Blower Door Testing - What is it?

  Blower doors are primarily used for measuring the air-tightness of buildings.

  This is a good method to identify energy problems within your home. Every house leaks, and that’s why we perform blower door tests — to measure a building’s leakage rate. 

  Using the blower door as a single point test gives us a guide or air pressure test of your home.  The blower door test, usually by depressurizing the house is an air flow rate measurement in cfm, “cubic feet per minute” taken at 50 Pascal’s of negative pressure relative to the outdoors. This airflow measurements can help us solve areas concerning the air-tightness of your home.  The air-tightness of your home plays an important part of the overall energy loss of the home. Letting in winters cold air or air conditioning out in the summer, air leaks can be a costly and left open can add up to allot of energy costs year after year.  Knowing where and how to fix these leaks is key to maximizing your home’s efficiency and comfort.  Heating and cooling loss due to air leaks turn into higher cost reflected on your energy bills.  Many older homes are so leaky that a third or more of the homes heat loss and cooling gains comes from air leaks and newer homes can benefit from knowing if your home could be more energy efficient or possibly too tight! 

Is my house tight?

  Tight houses tend to measure less than 1,200 cfm50, and moderately leaky homes measure between 1,500 and 2,500 cfm50. Homes that measure over 3,000 cfm50 are considerably leaky.

  We are offering our single point test of your home for $129.00!  The cost is normally $159.00 you save $30.00!  Not only do you save $30.00 you know how tight your home is.  “If you don’t test, you don’t know!”

Call Snyder Heating and Remodeling at: 724-226-3467 or e mail info@snyderhtg-remod.com today to schedule your in home blower door test.

Roof: Shingle Repair or Replace

  If your roof is leaking regardless of its material then a roof repair will be needed as soon as possible to stop the leak(s) into your home.  The repair may be temporary as additional work may be needed to make the repairs that will hold up for the duration of existing roof materials used.  If you have several leaks or your roof is 15 years or older the logical solution would be to consider replacing as older 3 tab shingles are 20 – 25 year shingles, they have exceeded half their lifespan.  Depending on repairs needed, you will be advised on what your solution are. Also, it’s good to inspect the overall condition of the roof and consider replacing the roofing; if the shingle colors are fading, the shingles are curling, buckling or facing is coming off and a more serious issues such as roof decking that has started to sag or buckle.

Other things to consider are if its generally in good condition then a good repair is all that will be needed or if you’re going to sell your home or will replace it at a later time.  One other thing, shingles of past years more than likely won’t match the old ones and the new color will not be faded like the existing shingles.  If you’re replacing your roof some things to consider are your gutters, skylights and venting at this time as they make your roof design good and properly installed, including ice and water shield at gutter edges.  Installing leaf guard on gutters is also good idea while were there! 

Call us at 724-226-3467 or e mail us at: snyderhtg-remod.com for emergency repairs and estimates for your new roof.

Spring Maintenance

Home Heating and Air Conditioning System

To keep your home comfort system operating properly, it is important to perform seasonal maintenance. Below is an excellent Spring HVAC maintenance checklist with tips on how to best maintain your HVAC system and reduce energy costs in your home all year around.

HVAC System Maintenance

Trim bushes and shrubs around outdoor units to allow at least two feet of clearance around.

Remove leaves and debris from inside the unit’s top grille.

Replace your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump air filter monthly. Dirty filters reduce operating efficiency by restricting airflow.

Schedule a Spring Tune-up for your HVAC system.

Controlling Humidity

Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage.

Check downspouts and gutters for stability and make sure downspouts slope away from your house. Water should be carried at least 5 ft. from your foundation walls.

Check window and door seals and weatherstripping. Replace if necessary.

Check windows for condensation and walls for water stains-signs of too much humidity.

Keep your home’s relative humidity between 30-40%.

Consult us for expert advice on indoor air equipment options to control your home’s indoor air.

Reduce Home Energy Costs

Caulk, seal and add weatherstripping around doors and windows to reduce air leaks.

Wash full loads in your dishwasher and clothes washer.

Turn off lights when you leave the room.

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) instead of standard incandescent bulbs.

Install a programmable thermostat to control your home’s temperature.

When it’s time to replace your heating and air conditioning system, consult professionals trained in helping you choose the right energy efficient system for your home, such as ENERGY STAR® qualified models, which will help reduce your energy costs by up to 30%.

Check air ducts for leaks, including holes or separated sections.

Have your HVAC equipment inspected and tuned-up by our professional technicians.

Now is the time to schedule Spring maintenance for your home’s HVAC system. There is nothing better you can do for your home’s heating and air conditioning system than have seasonal preventative maintenance done by residential HVAC professionals. This is the perfect time to make sure your home’s air conditioning system is prepared for the arrival of summer.

Snyder Heating and Remodeling offers seasonal preventative maintenance plans to help keep your home comfort system in peak operating condition so you can enjoy comfort and energy savings all year.

Contact us today 724-226-3467 to schedule your Spring HVAC check-up or to learn more about the advantages of our Preventative Maintenance Plans.

Why should my home be insulated

  We are a local company that specialize in improving indoor climate and lowering your energy costs!  We professionally install: Attic-Wall Insulation, Weatherization Services, HVAC Equipment and Service, Roofing-Remodeling Services located in Brackenridge, PA 15014.

Why Should My Home Be Insulated?

Having us Insulate is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home! It provides year-round comfort and savings in three important ways:

Lower Energy Bills

Insulation keeps your home warmer in the winter, which lowers your heating costs. In the summer, insulation keeps your home cooler, which eases the load on your air conditioner.

Quieter, better comfortable living

Insulation can actually absorb sound, reducing the unwanted noise from appliances, audio equipment, conversation and other sources of sound that are transmitted through your walls and floors. Insulation also keeps your family more comfortable by making it easier for your furnace or air conditioner to maintain a constant temperature with improved comfort year-round.

Healthier environment

Reducing your family's overall formaldehyde or other chemical exposure can make your home healthier and safer. Using proper insulation and tactics can help you achieve that reduction and follow recommendations to use formaldehyde-free building materials, so that it emits little or no formaldehyde or other harmful chemicals. Cellulose insulation helps eliminate moisture, dust and insects.  And has no formaldehyde or other harmful chemical emissions.

About loose fill cellulose insulation

• Cellulose insulation is environmentally preferable (80% recycled newspaper) and safe. It has a high recycled content and less risk to the installer than fiberglass (loose fill or batts).^[39]
• R-Value 3.4 - 3.8 (RSI-0.60 - 0.67) per inch (imperial units)
• Loose fill insulation fills the wall cavity better than batts. Wet-spray applications typically seal even better than dry-spray.
• Class I fire safety rating
• No formaldehyde-based binders. Not made from petrochemicals nor chemicals with a high toxicity

 Properly installed insulation will pay for itself and continue giving the property the listed items above and one more additional thought, your resale value of a well-insulated home is preferred by buyers!  Call us today at 724-226-3467 to find out how we can help make your home a better energy saver which offers you lower utility bills, quieter better comfortable living and a healthier home.